Ibezapolstat Demonstrates 100% C Difficile Cure, No Recurrence in Small Study
Results on this investigational antibiotic in its phase 2A study were presented at the C Diff. Conference today.
As the 9th Annual International C. Diff Conference & Health EXPO continued today, more news emerged from the conference.
Investigational antibiotic ibezapolstat is reported to be the first antibiotic candidate intended to work by blocking the Pol IIIC enzyme in C difficile.This therapy is a first-in-class of a new class of Pol IIIC inhibitors in phase 2 trials with this unique mechanism of action.
During his presentation at the conference today, Kevin Garey, PharmD, chair of the Department of Clinical Sciences and Administration and Professor of Pharmacy Practice at the University of Houston College of Pharmacy, shared that in a small phase 2A study, 10 patients with the first occurrence or first reoccurrence C difficile had 100% cure rate when they were given ibezapolstat and none of the patients had a recurrence.
In an interview with Contagion, Garey acknowledged the size of the first study and that they needed to prove results, which they were able to reproduce.
He pointed out that some of the newer research is shifting towards preserving the microbiome because the current class of approved antibiotics has patients experience recurrent C difficile.
“A lot of the drug development now within C diff antibiotics is, ‘will my new compound—ibezapolstat in this case—prevent disruption to the microbiome more favorable to the comparator’ usually vancomycin,” Garey stated.
Garey also provided further insights into the clinical trials, the therapy’s mechanism of action, and why this therapy could be significant in the fight against C difficile in the future.
